Inter Miami Confident Lionel Messi Will Stay Beyond 2025 Amid Coaching Shake-Up
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The buzz around Inter Miami just doesn’t stop, and this time, it’s all about Lionel Messi’s future with the club. Co-owner Jorge Mas dropped a major hint on Friday, saying he fully expects Messi to remain with the team through the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) season. That’s right—Messi fans, take a deep breath. The Argentine superstar might be sticking around longer than his current contract suggests.
Messi, who joined Inter Miami in July 2023, is currently signed through the end of the 2025 MLS season. The deal, as it stands, doesn’t include an option for an extension into 2026. So, technically, the upcoming season would be his last under the current terms. But Mas seems confident that Messi will still be wearing the iconic No. 10 jersey when Inter Miami opens its brand-new Miami Freedom Park stadium in 2026.
“Messi is under contract through 2025. Leo and I will sit and discuss the future,” Mas told reporters on Friday. “As I have said before, and I will repeat it now: I fully expect that in the opening of our new stadium in 2026 and the opening of our 2026 MLS season after a trophy-laden 2025 season, that Leo Messi will be our number 10.”
Messi’s 2024 Season: A Masterclass in Dominance
Let’s talk about Messi’s impact on the pitch. The 2024 season was nothing short of spectacular for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner. Despite playing in only 21 MLS matches, Messi racked up an incredible 21 goals and 17 assists. That’s a jaw-dropping 36 goal contributions, leading the league in that category. His brilliance helped Inter Miami secure the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and set a league record for the most points scored in a single season.
However, the season didn’t end the way Miami fans had hoped. The Herons were shockingly eliminated in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs by Atlanta United. Still, Messi’s influence on the team’s success is undeniable, and his presence has elevated the club to new heights.
Coaching Changes: Javier Mascherano Set to Take Over
While Messi’s future seems bright, Inter Miami is undergoing some significant changes off the field. The club confirmed the departure of head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who stepped down due to personal reasons. According to sources, Miami is set to appoint Javier Mascherano as the new head coach. Mascherano, a former teammate of Messi’s and the current coach of Argentina’s under-20 and under-23 teams, seems like a natural fit to lead the Herons into their next chapter.
Mascherano’s appointment could be a strategic move to keep Messi happy and engaged with the team. After all, their shared history and chemistry could translate into success on the field. It’s a bold move, but one that could pay off big time for Inter Miami.
Building for 2025: No Budget Limitations
As the team gears up for the 2025 season, Mas made it clear that Inter Miami is pulling out all the stops to build a championship-caliber roster. The club will be competing in multiple high-stakes tournaments, including the Concacaf Champions League, Club World Cup, and Leagues Cup. The pressure to win is higher than ever, and Mas isn’t shying away from it.
“We are going to use every single roster mechanism given to us by the league to build the best roster we can to compete in 2025,” Mas said. “There is pressure here to win, and that pressure is going to continue. We expect it of ourselves, our coaches, and players.”
Mas also emphasized that there are “no budget limitations” when it comes to assembling the best team possible. The club is actively negotiating the return of key players like Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba, whose contracts expired at the end of the 2024 campaign. With the roster decisions deadline looming on Nov. 27, expect some big moves in the coming days.
What’s Next for Inter Miami?
As Inter Miami transitions into a new era, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The combination of Messi’s brilliance, Mascherano’s potential as head coach, and the club’s aggressive approach to roster building could make 2025 a historic year for the Herons. And with the opening of Miami Freedom Park on the horizon, the future looks incredibly bright for this ambitious franchise.
For now, all eyes are on Messi and the decisions that will shape the next chapter of his legendary career. Will he stay through 2026? If Jorge Mas has his way, the answer is a resounding yes.
Originally Written by: Luis Miguel Echegaray
